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I play music and record music, generally not with video games in mind. One day I happened to play a particular track of mine while playing Turok, in the part where you take the giant platform elevator from the bottom of the underground base to the surface. And, it happened to seam to be an incredible match for the situation in the game, and the feeling which the music expresses.

This part of the game, has two main aspects which made it work. First, it is difficult. Your essentially forced into what would be most likely a suicide situation, in which there is nowhere to hide, and where you will face, and be openly exposed to many enemies shooting at you and throwing grenades. And second, your on a moving elevator. You cannot stop. The action is coming at you, and your all in.

The feeling that the song expresses, seamed to embody this situation, while evoking a feeling of fearlessness and a sort of calmness at the same time. It brings to life that moment in which you realize the full reality of a deadly situation, come to terms with death, lost your fear, gain a calmness. A moment in which you unlock powers and strengths inside of you which you didn't know you had, and with all of your hear and soul and strength, set out to do that which is nearly impossible, nearly certain death, but your zen like state of mind makes the impossible possible, makes you see your path to survival with unprecedented clarity, and allows you to overcome all odds and come out victorious.

I just thought I would share my thoughts. The song isn't really necessarily that great. I would post it, but I might use it in the future in a game and don't want to spoil it.

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Why tease us with a description of how well the song works with a game and then not post the music?
Frankly, I'm not sure what you're trying to tell us.

Cheers,
Moritz

I want to discuss more about this idea, of how should the music make you feel in game situations. Some games in the situations I described more so evoke a fear. Do you play music which embodies the deadliness of the enemy? Do you play music which embodies the fear a person might feel in such a terrifying situation? Do you play music which evokes a sense of fearlessness? Do you try to get the heart racing, or slow it down? I guess a good soundtrack does all of these at different times/situations.

The song would probably be a big disappointment how I have hyped it up. I probably may have embellished the characteristics of the song also. But my main point is that this is how the song seamed to make me feel, and seamed like a unique sound/feel for a video game scene, and I was surprised by how it worked and immersed me into the situation of the game.

Your probably all wondering what such a song sounds like? Probably a little different for everyone.
Edited May 2, 2012 by mvsc

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I want to discuss more about this idea, of how should the music make you feel in game situations. Some games in the situations I described more so evoke a fear. Do you play music which embodies the deadliness of the enemy? Do you play music which embodies the fear a person might feel in such a terrifying situation? Do you play music which evokes a sense of fearlessness? Do you try to get the heart racing, or slow it down? I guess a good soundtrack does all of these at different times/situations.[/quote]
There is adapting music, which reflects on what the player is currently doing in the game. Like in Dark Void for example?
It is difficult for developers to know how the player are feeling when playing there game though, maybe they need to have a quick pee etc. ;) Lots of unexpected feelings here. You can´t know, you can only give some basics in hope to drag the player in the right direction.

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Music and other audio can have a pretty powerful effect on how people feel, and their experience of game play. A good soundtrack should support a range of different moods, just as game-play itself should have highs and lows to allow people to rest between sections of intense action. Adaptive music (as mentioned above) is also an idea which can help the music to suit the situation, assuming it's done well.